I work well under pressure: Janhvi Kapoor
by ASJAD NAZIR
GARAVI Gujarat caught up with Janhvi Kapoor to discuss Mili, positivity surrounding her performances, future hopes, freezing, and great advice she got.
How much do all the positive reviews to your films and performances mean to you? (Smiles) Thank you for saying that. Oh, the positivity really means a lot to me. I mean I’m doing the work for people’s acceptance and validation, or at least a part of me is, so it’s definitely a positive reinforcement.
What made you want to be part of Mili? The fact that it was such a big challenge. The fact that my father was so moved by the original film and felt so deeply that we should make it again. To have the original director Mathukutty (Xavier) was also a factor. I liked interacting with him and really do think he is a very gifted filmmaker.
What was the biggest challenge of playing this role?
I think the portions we shot in the freezer, because they had built an actual freezer for me that was at minus 15-16 degrees at all times, and we actually shot in it and that was intense. It took a toll on my mental health because I would dream of still being in a freezer, when I came back home after shooting and went to sleep. I was spending up to 15 hours a day in the freezer and crying for most of the day, so I fell ill and was on painkillers for two to three days. Even the director became unwell.
What is your own favorite moment in the film?
You know, to be very honest, I have no memory of what I shot in the freezer, as it was very traumatic and intense. But my own favorite moment is the scene in the movie theatre that I shot with Manoj (Pahwa) sir, who plays my father, and Sunny Kaushal, who plays my boyfriend in the film. I thought it was cute. I think the freezer scene will make a big impact with audiences.
What are you like under pressure?
I think I work well under pressure. I believe in keeping the mind calm. If you can do that then I think it makes things a little easier. I think after Mili, I’ll probably have a lot of PTSD, but during the course of it I think that sometimes my brain would just go numb, which is problematic when you are in front of a camera. But I think it also served the purpose of me trying to be as alive in the moment as possible. After this, I will be able to handle any cold weather.
There were moments in the freezer I have forgotten because my brain went numb. But a memory I have is after shoot one day, all of us went rafting in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. That’s where we shot a majority of the second half of the film. Uttarakhand is a beautiful state, and every minute I got to explore Dehradun and Mussoorie was amazing.
What was it like working on a movie where your father Boney Kapoor is producing?
It was interesting. I think we felt like a team, and it was nice to get to know my father on a professional capacity, after only hearing so many stories about him my whole life. I hope it proves to be successful as a venture for both of us and we get to work together again on a project.
You seem to be making all the right moves. What is the best advice your father has given you?
The one thing he said that always remains with me is to ‘follow your heart’ and that has served me well so far.
What is the plan going forward?
I have Bawaal, which is a film that I’ve done with Varun Dhawan that releases in April, and then I have Mr and Mrs Mahi that I’m shooting for currently. So, I am just going to keep following my heart and am looking forward to the next challenge.
What keeps you so grounded?
My family keeps me grounded, and I am really thankful for that. They have been a great source of strength and support.